Justin Evan Woods was born on January 15, 1985 in Pontiac, Michigan to Gregory and Patricia Woods. Justin was born the youngest of three children at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. Justin accepted Christ at a young age while in Pontiac. Around the age of nine, Justin and his family moved from Pontiac to Kalamazoo, Michigan where Justin built the rest of his life with the exception of a year he spent in the care of his oldest brother Ryan in Big Rapids, Michigan. Justin obtained his high school diploma while in Big Rapids, Michigan. Justin was an admired athlete through his entire educational experience. Justin excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. Following high school Justin engaged in college courses on two occasions. Although Justin believed higher education was important and valuable he found it better for him to focus on employment.

Justin has held employment in different capacities over the years ranging from retail, painting, janitorial services, delivery services, and manufacturing. Justin's most substantial and final employment was held at JBS where Justin was a team leader in a meat manufacturing facility. He was forced to resign from this position in May of 2020 due to his battle with cancer. Justin was an exceptionally hard worker who was reliable and fun to work with. Not only did Justin work over fifty hours most weeks, but he also worked through any adversity. Justin's last day at work was the day before the major surgery completed in February of 2020. He fought through exceptional pain, working fifty plus hours not only to provide for his family, but also to remain the dedicated worker and leader that he took pride in being.

Justin was united in holy matrimony with the love of his life, Stephanie Elizabeth Pursel on December 31, 2011. Justin considers his wife Stephanie to be his rock and his anchor. To this union were born two children, Evan I Woods (10) and Nadiya E Woods (6).

Justin was an avid sports fanatic. Not only did he enjoy watching sports, he has played sports for his entire life. Starting at a young age in rocket football and little league, Justin went on to be a star athlete who was often featured in the newspaper for his accomplishments in baseball, basketball, and football. Justin continued to play on adult leagues in Co-Ed Softball as well as a men's basketball league until he became ill in January of 2020. Beyond sports, Justin loved spending time with his family and friends, he was an amazing cook, he loved to travel and do activities with his family that could range from watching movies, playing with the kids, playing board games (especially Monopoly), boating and going to amusement parks.

Justin was a mild mannered man who was patient, kind, and loving. He was a fun person to be around and was often found smiling and laughing. He has impacted so many lives with his sweet, fun, and easy going demeanor. Beyond spending quality time with his family and friends, Justin gave back to his community in many ways. He was always willing to help someone in need. He was an amazing neighbor, he has volunteered in community impact projects through the church, and he dedicated a great amount of his time and energy coaching his son's teams through Westwood Little League and the YMCA.

Justin's role as a father was the role he valued most of all. Justin was the most remarkable father to Evan and Nadiya. He spent time engaged with them in some capacity every single day of their lives. He was a father that would be seen crawling around on the floor with his children when they were young and engaging in a range of activities with them when they were older. No matter how Justin felt on any given day, he would prioritize his children. Justin was the definition of a great father.

Justin leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Stephanie Woods; two children, Evan Woods and Nadiya Woods; his parents Gregory and Patricia Woods; his siblings Ryan Woods and Derrick (Melody) Woods; 8 nephews and nieces: Jae'Lin Moore, Sydney Woods, Paris Woods, Skylar Edwards, Thomas Woods (preceded Justin in death), Derrick Woods, Kaden Diala-Woods, Kobe Major Diala-Woods; and a host of relatives and friends. Justin was preceded in death by his grandparents Robert and Mary Lee Jones and Victor Woods and Ethel Bernice Greenlee; his uncle Kenneth Jones Sr; his aunt Victoria (Woods) Howze; his nephew Thomas Woods.

On September 24, 2020 Heaven's gates were opened for one of the best men to ever walk this earth. Although many mourn Justin being taken far too soon, we try to find comfort in that his suffering has ended and his battle is now complete. He fought the best and biggest fight of his life and handled it with a level of Grace that can only be admired. May you rest in eternal, everlasting peace my love.

Service Information:

There will be a time of visitation for immediate family and friends beginning at 3pm on Thursday October 1, 2020. The memorial service will be held at The Bridge 7200 Angling Road, Portage, MI 49024 at 4pm on October 1, 2020. This service has limited capacity so please attend by invitation only. The service will be broadcast live from The Bridge Chur's website, starting at 4pm. Just visit www.thebridgeportage.org and scroll down until you get to the embedded Church Service Video Player. Lead Pastor Jeff Wenke will be presiding. Light refreshments will follow the in person celebration of life if weather permits. Dinner is not able to be served due to restrictions in place for Covid-19.

Memorial Contributions:

Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to one of the following funds:
A college savings fund for Justin's children, Evan and Nadiya or Uganda Kids- A ministry in Uganda called Good News Ministries that is led by Pastor Solomon. This ministry ensures children are able to receive an education among other life necessities such as food, in a severely compromised part of Africa.